Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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proverb
A leader is ultimately responsible for the penalities of a catastrophe, even if they result from external causes or the misactions of others under the leader's purview.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: the buck stops here
Antonyms: none provided
History
From the maritime tradition that a sea captain holds ultimate responsibility for both their ship and everyone embarked on it, and in an emergency will either save those on board or die trying.
Across languages
6 source translations are retained for this English entry.
